In order to perform quite specific tasks for growing bonsai, certain types of tools are necessary. All around the world, enthusiasts and specialists prefer tools specifically designed for bonsai. These tools do not differ much from the regular gardening tools, but their use for miniature trees is more convenient and significantly eases the work on shaping or transplanting. They can only be purchased in specialized bonsai stores.
If you are unable to find these tools, you can easily use regular gardening tools. These tools are very well known to many and purchasing them does not present any difficulties.
- Secateurs, for cutting thick branches and roots.
- Pruning shears for cutting small branches and shoots.
- Small garden saw for cutting very thick branches.
- Regular scissors for trimming leaves and small roots.
- Tweezers for removing buds and weeds.
- Flat-nose pliers and wire cutters for working with wire.
- Small spades.
- A three-pronged tool or simply a 90-degree bent pointed iron rod. Used for removing soil from the roots during repotting.
- A knife, used for treating the cutting areas of branches.
- A stick, pointed like a pencil, used for piercing the soil during repotting.
- A stand with a rotating circular surface. This device will significantly ease your work on shaping the bonsai, especially useful for larger-sized bonsais. With it, you can easily rotate the plant in the direction you desire.
- Sprayer and small watering can.
- Two sifters with different-sized meshes for sifting soil.
All these tools are fully sufficient to get started with work. As the bonsai enthusiast gains more experience, over time, their demands for the quality and specificity of the tools increase. Tools require proper care. Always store them in a clean and dry place. Cutting tools must always be sharp. The sharper the tool, the easier it is to use, and the cutting area will be resolved more quickly and efficiently. When pruning a plant, plant sap remains on the cutting edge of the tool. The pruner used for cutting roots gets dirt on it. If the dirt is not cleaned off promptly, it will cause corrosion of the surface and the tool will become dull. The cutting tool blades are cleaned with alcohol or simply washed with soapy water. After cleaning, the tool should be dried and oiled. There are special spray liquids, which are quite effective, and can be purchased at garden stores. It is ideal to clean and oil the tools after every use. In addition to the tools, some auxiliary materials are also needed: small plastic or metal mesh to cover drainage holes; wire for shaping branches and the trunk of the tree; garden sealant to cover the cutting area of branches.
Wire
Wire is used for shaping the tree trunk and branches. For bonsai shaping, wire specifically made for working with bonsai is used. If such wire is unavailable, you can freely use copper and aluminum wire, which is used for electrical wiring. Such wire is covered with insulation. To make the work easier, it is better to remove the insulation from the wire. Shaping branches of different thickness requires wire of corresponding thickness. Therefore, make sure to stock up on wire of various diameters.
Garden paste
The cut area of large branches must be covered with special garden paste to prevent the penetration of pests and fungal diseases. If you are unable to purchase the paste, it can be made at home: 1 part pine resin, 1 part animal fat (such as from the belly), and 1 part beeswax. All three components should be boiled together over low heat for 15 minutes. Once the mixture cools, it becomes sticky and hard, like modeling clay. When using this paste, it must be heated over fire until it becomes liquid, then applied with a small brush to the cut area.
Mesh
To prevent the soil from washing out of the container's drainage hole, a metal or plastic mesh is used. The mesh covers the container's drainage hole, and only after that, the container is filled with soil. The metal mesh should be made of copper or stainless steel. Ordinary steel mesh rusts and deteriorates quickly.
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